Ashe County, North Carolina

Ashe County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 27,281.[1] Its county seat is Jefferson.[2]

Not to be confused with Asheville, North Carolina.
Ashe County
U.S. county
Ashe County Courthouse in Jefferson
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of North Carolina
North Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 36°26′N 81°30′W
Country United States
State North Carolina
Founded1799
Named forSamuel Ashe
SeatJefferson
Largest townJefferson
Area
 • Total429 sq mi (1,110 km2)
 • Land426 sq mi (1,100 km2)
 • Water3.1 sq mi (8 km2)  0.7%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
27,203
 • Density64/sq mi (25/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.ashecountygov.com
Grassy Creek Methodist Church

History of Ashe

Historical evidence shows that Ashe County was inhabited by Native Americans, which included the Cherokee, Creek, and Shawnee tribes. Pieces of broken pottery, arrowheads, and other Native American artifacts have been found, indicating their presence. Most of these artifacts have been found in the Old Fields area of Ashe County.

The earliest Europeans to explore Ashe County were Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg – head of the Moravian Church in America – and his associates, Timothy Horsefield, Joseph Mueller, Henry Antes, Johan Merck, and Herman Loesch. Bishop Spangenberg wrote about his journey in Ashe in a diary that has been preserved by the Moravian church. He was given 100,000 acres (400 km2) in Virginia as a place for his fellow Moravians to settle. The only one of Spangenberg's group to return and permanently settle in Ashe County was Herman Loesch. Other early settlers were David Helton, William Walling, William McLain and Daniel Boone, the famous pioneer. With the exception of Boone, these men and their families all settled in Ashe in 1771.

During the Revolutionary War one skirmish was fought in Ashe County, the Battle of Big Glades. The battle was fought in July 1780 between a force of Americans, led by Captain Robert Love, and a force of 150 British Loyalists on their way to Charlotte to join Lord Cornwallis, the British commander in the Southern colonies. The Americans won the skirmish.

In the 1780s, Ashe County was a part of the self-declared "State of Franklin", within the boundaries of its Washington County. The "State of Franklin" marked the beginnings of the State of Tennessee. The North Carolina legislature created Ashe County in late 1799 with an area of 977 square miles (2,530 km2). Many family surnames noted in the 1800 Ashe County Census, Blevins, Hart, Bare, Barker, Stamper, Miller, Burkett, Gambill, Baldwin, and Ballou as a sample, are still present today. Ashe County was named in honor of Samuel Ashe, a Revolutionary patriot, a superior court judge, and the Governor of North Carolina from 1795 to 1798.

From 1807 to 1913, the county went through numerous boundary changes. In 1849, to form Watauga County, the southwestern part of Ashe County was combined with parts of Caldwell County, Wilkes County, and Yancey County. Ten years later in 1859, the eastern part of the remainder of Ashe County became Alleghany County.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 429 square miles (1,110 km2), of which 426 square miles (1,100 km2) is land and 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2) (0.7%) is water.[4]

Ashe County is located in extreme northwestern North Carolina. The county is bordered by two states: Virginia on the north; and Tennessee to the west. The county is located entirely within the Appalachian Mountains region of North Carolina. Most of the county is located atop a rolling plateau that ranges from 2,500 feet (760 m) to 3,000 feet (910 m) above sea level. On the county's southeastern border the land drops sharply to about 1,500 feet (460 m) in neighboring Wilkes County, North Carolina. Numerous mountains and hills dot the plateau. In total, five mountains in the county rise to over 5,000 feet. A prominent landmark is Mount Jefferson, which is a State Natural Area and rises to 4,665 feet (1,422 m), and towers more than 1,600 feet (490 m) above the towns of Jefferson and West Jefferson.

The county's main river is the New River, one of the oldest rivers in the world, and one of the few major rivers in the southeastern United States to flow primarily north instead of south, east, or west. There are 34 recorded creeks and streams that flow into the New River in Ashe County. In 1998 the river was designated an "American Heritage River" by President Bill Clinton, and it is famed for its beautiful rural scenery, clear water, fly fishing, and kayaking and canoeing.

Isolated by mountainous terrain from the remainder of North Carolina to the east, Ashe County was described in the 19th and early 20th centuries as one of the Lost Provinces of North Carolina.[5]

Ashe County generally is known for its mountain scenery, and the tourism industry is an important mainstay of the county's economy. The Blue Ridge Parkway runs along the county's southeastern border. Ashe County has historically consisted of rural farmland, with numerous cattle and poultry farms. However, cattle farming in recent decades has given way to the industry of raising Christmas trees. Many cattle farmers have switched to growing Christmas trees, and in 1997, 2007, 2008, and 2012, an Ashe County Christmas tree was selected as the official White House Christmas Tree by the National Christmas Tree Association.[6] The tree was put on display in the Blue Room (White House). As of 2014 Ashe County grows more Christmas trees than any other county in the Eastern United States.

Climate

Ashe County, North Carolina has a considerably different climate than most of the Southeastern United States. Summers typically average around 80 °F or 26.7 °C. Temperatures rarely exceed 90 °F or 32.2 °C, but on rare occasions can reach the mid-90s as they did in 2012 – the most recent that 90+ was observed. 100 °F (37.8 °C)+ has never been observed. Summer nights are cool, and temperatures often dip to near 60 °F or 15.6 °C even in July. In winter there is snow, averaging about 30 inches or 0.76 metres for the towns of Jefferson and West Jefferson during the past thirty years. There has been only about 66 percent of normal snowfall observed over the past four winter seasons (2013-2017). Considerably more snow falls on the peaks and the western slopes of the Appalachian Mountains. During the 2009–2010 snow season Jefferson received some 60 inches or 1.52 metres of snow. Snow has been observed as early as around October 1 and as late as around May 1. Ashe County is also a very windy location especially in winter when several times per year the Jefferson Airport sees the wind gusting 60 to 85 miles per hour (97 to 137 km/h; 52 to 74 kn). In addition it does get very cold in Ashe County. In January 2014 the low temperature dipped below 0 °F or −17.8 °C several times, the coldest being −8 °F (−22.2 °C) on January 30–31.[7] Single digit temperatures, often just above zero Fahrenheit, are observed most winter seasons on occasion. The average winter high is in the 40s with an average low near 20 °F or −6.7 °C. Ashe County often feels more like the northeastern United States when wind chill factors are also observed.

National protected areas

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18002,783—
18103,69432.7%
18204,33517.4%
18306,98761.2%
18407,4676.9%
18508,77717.5%
18607,956−9.4%
18709,57320.3%
188014,43750.8%
189015,6288.2%
190019,58125.3%
191019,074−2.6%
192021,00110.1%
193021,0190.1%
194022,6647.8%
195021,878−3.5%
196019,768−9.6%
197019,571−1.0%
198022,32514.1%
199022,209−0.5%
200024,3849.8%
201027,28111.9%
2019 (est.)27,203[8]−0.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790–1960[10] 1900–1990[11]
1990–2000[12] 2010–2014[1]

2000 census

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 24,384 people, 10,411 households, and 7,423 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile (22/km2). There were 13,268 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile (12/km2).

The racial makeup of the county was:

2.42% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 10,411 households, out of which 26.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.40% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 19.80% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 27.70% from 45 to 64, and 18.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,824, and the median income for a family was $36,052. Males had a median income of $25,666 versus $19,983 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,429. About 10.10% of families and 13.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 17.30% of those ages 65 and over.

2010 census

As of the census[13] of 2010, there were 27,281 people, 11,755 households, and 8,030 families residing in the county. The population density was 60 people per square mile (23/km2). There were 17,342 total housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (12/km2). Of the total 11,755 housing units were occupied.

The racial makeup of the county was:

4.8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 11,755 households, out of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.75.

In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 10.5% under 10, 10.9% from 10 to 19, 9.9% from 20 to 29, 11.6% from 30 to 39, 13.8% from 40 to 49, 15.2% from 50 to 59, 14% from 60 to 69, 8.7% from 70 to 79, and 5.1% who were 80 years of age or older. The median age was 45.5 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.39 males.

The per capita income was $20,706 and the median household income was $34,056. 18.1% of the population was below the poverty level.

Communities
Map of Ashe County, North Carolina With Municipal and Township Labels

Towns

Townships

Unincorporated communities

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Ashe County.[14]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Jefferson Town 1,611
2 West Jefferson Town 1,299
3 Lansing Town 158

Politics

Owing to its rural character Ashe County is a strongly Republican county, if not historically comparable to geographically similar Avery or Mitchell. The last Democratic presidential nominee to carry Ashe County was Jimmy Carter in 1976, and the last to reach forty percent of the county's vote was Bill Clinton in 1992. Recent elections have seen Ashe, like almost all Appalachia counties, trend rapidly towards the Republican Party. Hillary Clinton won just 26 percent of the county's ballots in 2016.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 70.1% 9,412 26.1% 3,500 3.8% 512
2012 65.4% 8,242 32.6% 4,116 2.0% 252
2008 60.6% 7,916 37.3% 4,872 2.2% 281
2004 61.7% 7,292 37.9% 4,477 0.5% 54
2000 60.4% 6,226 38.9% 4,011 0.8% 79
1996 52.3% 5,203 38.5% 3,825 9.2% 914
1992 47.0% 5,200 41.8% 4,624 11.3% 1,246
1988 59.7% 6,019 40.0% 4,034 0.3% 30
1984 62.1% 6,611 37.7% 4,009 0.2% 25
1980 54.7% 5,643 43.3% 4,461 2.0% 208
1976 48.6% 4,937 51.1% 5,193 0.3% 25
1972 63.0% 5,784 36.1% 3,313 1.0% 91
1968 53.2% 4,894 37.2% 3,426 9.6% 888
1964 45.8% 4,191 54.2% 4,965
1960 51.9% 4,823 48.1% 4,477
1956 53.5% 4,588 46.5% 3,982
1952 50.2% 4,563 49.9% 4,536
1948 46.7% 4,266 50.8% 4,633 2.5% 228
1944 50.9% 4,524 49.1% 4,363
1940 47.0% 4,175 53.0% 4,716
1936 45.1% 4,557 54.9% 5,552
1932 44.7% 3,871 54.9% 4,751 0.4% 38
1928 55.6% 4,337 44.4% 3,458
1924 47.7% 3,952 52.3% 4,333 0.0% 3
1920 52.6% 3,808 47.4% 3,431
1916 50.5% 1,939 49.5% 1,898
1912 14.2% 478 48.9% 1,643 36.9% 1,242

Like most counties in North Carolina, Ashe County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners.[16] In the North Carolina House of Representatives, Ashe County lies in the 93rd District, which also covers Watauga County and is represented by Democrat Ray Russell. In the North Carolina Senate, Ashe County lies in the 45th Senate District, which also covers Alleghany, Avery, Caldwell and Watauga Counties and is represented by Republican Deanna Ballard.

Media

The Ashe Post and Times is the newspaper of record for Ashe County, serving readers with the latest news and events throughout the county. It is a weekly, paid circulation newspaper that is published every Wednesday with breaking news posted immediately on ashepostandtimes.com. The newspaper is owned by Adams Publishing Group, which also owns the Watauga Democrat.

Notable people

Ashe County has been home to, produced, or been visited by, several prominent people. It is the hometown of Monte Weaver from Helton who pitched for the Washington Senators and pitched a World Series game in 1933. After being traded from the Senators, he pitched for the Boston Red Sox, before being called into service in World War II. Weaver died in 1994. Albert Hash a well-known and beloved fiddler and instrument maker at one time resided in Lansing. Helen Keller visited an Ashe County native, Marvin Osborne, in 1944 when he was wounded in France in World War II. Loretta Lynn sang at the Central Food Market in West Jefferson in the late 1960s (the Central Food building formally housed a locally owned auto parts store and is now the location of a local restaurant). Roni Stoneman was a visitor to Ashe Park in the 1980s. In 1998, then-President Bill Clinton and his vice-president, Al Gore, held a ceremony on the banks of the scenic New River to designate it as an American Heritage River.[17] After the ceremony, both men had lunch at the historic Glendale Springs Inn, also located in Ashe County.[18] Fiddle player G. B. Grayson was born in Ashe County in 1887.[19] Daniel Boone spent some time in the eastern part of Ashe County which is now Obids.

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Crawford, Martin (2001). Ashe County's Civil War. Charlottesville, Virginia: University Press of Virginia. p. 5. ISBN 0813920345.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  5. Tabler, Dave (August 30, 2016). "The Lost Provinces". Appalachian History. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  6. "NC Christmas Trees – Christmas Tree in the White House". North Carolina Christmas Tree Association. Archived from the original on 25 October 2011. Retrieved 28 October 2011.
  7. "Climate Jefferson - North Carolina and Weather averages Jefferson - Weather history january 2014". www.usclimatedata.com. Retrieved 2019-10-05.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  11. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  14. "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-04-20.
  15. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-14.
  16. Ashe County Government
  17. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-12-02. Retrieved 2007-10-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. Glendale Springs Inn and Restaurant, County Inn and Bed & Breakfast, West Jefferson, NC and Boone, NC Lodging and Accommodations
  19. Barry McCloud (ed.), Definitive Country: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Country Music and its Performers (New York: Berkley Publishing Group, 1995), p. 340.

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